Major King: The Arena-Ready Force of Modern Rock

Major King is an American rock artist known for his powerful, riff-driven anthems and commanding stage presence. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, he achieved mainstream success with his second studio album, "The Howl," which debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned a platinum-certified single.

Early career

Born in 1988, Jacob "Major" King began his musical journey in the vibrant Chicago club scene, fronting various local bands throughout his late teens. His first significant step came in 2012 with the independent EP "Steel Cathedral," a self-funded project that caught the attention of regional rock radio and led to a development deal with the indie label Granite Records.

Breakthrough

Major King's breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the release of his debut album, "Kingslayer," under the Granite Records imprint. While the album itself saw moderate sales, its lead single, "Heart of Wire," became an unexpected rock radio staple, earning a gold certification in the United States and propelling him onto major festival stages.

Key tracks

Heart of Wire — This gold-certified single broke Major King on rock radio and defined his signature blend of gritty vocals and anthemic guitar hooks.

The Howl — The title track from his breakthrough album showcases a more expansive, production-heavy sound that expanded his audience.

Burn the Gallows — A high-energy collaboration with veteran guitarist Lita Ford that became a fan favorite for its blistering dual-guitar solos.

Anchorless — This slower, more atmospheric track demonstrated Major King's songwriting depth and received critical praise.

Rise to Ruin — The lead single from his third album, it marked a deliberate shift towards a heavier, more aggressive sonic direction.

Capitalizing on this momentum, Major King signed with the larger Capitol Records in 2018. His subsequent album, 2019's "The Howl," was a commercial and critical leap forward, debuting in the Billboard Top 20 and solidifying his position as a modern rock headliner. He has since collaborated with artists like Shinedown's Brent Smith and has been a consistent presence on the main stages of festivals like Rock on the Range and Aftershock.

For fans of Major King's brand of anthemic, guitar-centric rock, several artists share a similar approach. Shinedown mirrors his focus on massive, radio-ready choruses and powerful vocals. Five Finger Death Punch shares a comparable intensity and blend of heavy riffs with melodic accessibility. The raw energy and blues-rock foundation of Black Stone Cherry is another clear touchstone. Furthermore, the driving modern rock of Bad Wolves operates in a similar sonic space.

Major King's music maintains a strong rotation across a wide spectrum of rock formats. His hits are staples on mainstream rock FM stations, while his deeper album cuts find a home on independent music radio stations and dedicated online rock radio streams that cater to dedicated rock audiences.

Listeners can discover the powerful catalog of Major King by tuning into the rock stations featured right here on onairium.com. His anthems are regularly featured across our curated selection of stations, offering the perfect gateway to experience this dynamic American rock artist.